Region 5 News Release: 10-518-CHI
April 27,2010
Contact: Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allenscott@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA fines Ohio-based Tireman Auto Service
Centers Ltd. $177,800 for willful and serious safety violations

MAUMEE, Ohio. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Tireman Auto Service Centers Ltd. in Maumee with $177,800 in proposed penalties for alleged serious and willful violations for failing to protect workers.

As a result of an October 2009 inspection, after an accident in which four employees were injured when an agricultural tire exploded, OSHA cited the company with three alleged willful violations carrying a proposed penalty of $168,000. The company failed to provide a cage or barrier to protect workers servicing large agricultural tires; failed to ensure employees worked outside the trajectory path; and exceeded the maximum tire pressure while seating the tire. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirement, or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Tireman Auto Service Centers Ltd. also has received two serious violations and a proposed penalty of $9,800 for failing to ensure safety glasses were worn by workers when servicing tires and to have an inline valve pressure gauge. An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm can result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists.

"Employees that work with agricultural tires and high pressure air face serious injury or even death if proper OSHA safety regulations are not followed," said OSHA Area Director Jule Hovi in Toledo, Ohio. "Those who ignore these safety regulations are inviting tragedy into the lives of their workers."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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